vi–IV–I–V in E Minor

Pattern: vi – IV – I – V Chords: C♯m – A – E – B

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
vi	C♯m (details)	minor	Submediant
IV	A (details)	major	Subdominant
I	E (details)	major	Tonic
V	B (details)	major	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through C♯m (Submediant) → A (Subdominant) → E (Tonic) → B (Dominant).

The vi–IV–I–V progression is a rotation of the famous I–V–vi–IV that begins on the minor chord, giving it an emotionally ambiguous character. Starting on vi lends a more melancholic or introspective feel while retaining the same harmonic loop. It is equally at home in major and relative-minor contexts.

Song Examples

Numb — Linkin Park
Save Tonight — Eagle-Eye Cherry
Grenade — Bruno Mars

Chord Details

C♯m A E B

More Progressions in E Minor

i–♭VII–♭VI–V i–iv–v i–iv–i–V iv–iv–i–V i–iv–i i–iv–V vi–V–IV–III i–♭VII i–♭III–♭VII i–♭VII–IV i–♭VII–♭VI i–♭III–♭VII–IV

Related Progressions

I–V–vi–IV I–vi–IV–V